The list of discussion questions on this page is part of a publication called Number One ESL Discussion Book & Reference Guide.
1. What is your current occupation? Do you work full-time or part-time? How many years have you been working in your current profession?
2. At what age do you want to retire? At what age do people usually retire in your country?
3. What do you like and dislike about your job? If you ever had to change jobs or careers, what job or career would you choose?
4. How many hours a day are you at work? What time do you start, and what time do you usually finish? How much time do you get for lunch? Do you get coffee breaks? How often do you work overtime?
5. How many hours per week should someone work to qualify as a workaholic? Do you consider yourself to be a workaholic?
6. How many days per year do you get vacation? Do you get paid, or unpaid vacation? How many days per year do you get sick leave?
7. How well do you get along with your co-workers? Are you friends with some of your co-workers? How often do you socialize with your co-workers?
8. What are the benefits of being self-employed? What are some risks? If you are not currently self-employed, would you like to be? Why, or why not?
9. Some people think their job is tedious and boring. Does this describe your job? Why do people do work they don’t like?
10. If you could choose between an interesting job that pays a low salary and a boring job that pays a good salary, what would you choose?
11. How is the employment situation in your country? How about your city? Does the government help people when they are unemployed? If yes, how does the government help them?
12. Did you go to college or university to qualify for your current job? How many years did you study? Did you get on-the-job training? In some jobs, people have to continue their training even if they have been working for many years. How much time do you spend every year on training?